Patent GB-1241595-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for handling signatures
IPC: B65H5/12
Filed: 1968-07-30
Abstract: 1,241,595. Feeding sheets; opening devices for folded signatures. MIEHLE-GOSS-DEXTER Inc. 30 July, 1968 [20 Feb., 1968], No. 36295/68. Heading B8R. Signatures being conveyed edgewise in suspended condition with their backbone folded edges uppermost are opened to their centres by separating some of the suspended sheets from the remainder at the edges opposite the folded edges. General arrangement.-Signatures S are separated from a stack supported on edge in a pile hopper H, Fig. 1, transferred to grippers G on an endless chain 38 which carry them in suspension past opening devices 65, and deposited astride saddle 94 whereon the backbone folds are hardened by a device R. Sheet separators.-The pile is advanced on conveyer 3, Fig. 7, while the lowermost backbone folded edge 6 of the foremost signature is separated therefrom by oscillating suction head 16. Carriers and forwarders.-The edge 6 of a separated signature is transferred to grippers 23 on cylinder 22, drawn from behind retaining member 4 and forwarded into the nip between cylinder 22 and sector cylinder 31, whereupon grippers 23 release the signature. The signature, moved upwardly by cylinders 22 and 31 is transferred to grippers G on chain 38, moving parallel to the axes of the said cylinders. Gripper mechanism.-Fixed jaw 56, Fig. 11, is mounted on a spindle 51 rotatably supported on chain 38 to permit pivoting of the gripper in the plane of a gripped signature. Spring 53 normally biases movable jaw 58 against jaw 56, the jaws being moved apart when roller r engages cam-plate 60 adjacent the cylinders 22 and 31. A further cam-plate 60<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 1, at the fore end of the gripper chain run causes the grippers to release an opened signature on to the saddle. A Geneva gear 50 attached to spindle 51 may be caused to engage with pins alongside the path of the chain, thus rotating the grippers by up to 180 degrees, permitting gripped signatures to be turned around. Opening signatures.-Opening devices 65 comprise suction grippers 71 mounted for rotation with valve discs 68 and for reciprocation on pistons 72. The devices are arranged to grip the lower edge of the outermost sheet of each signature at the forward end thereof and pull it upwards and away from the remaining sheets over the far side of a stationary guide bar 83. Each of the devices (four are shown), is selectively actuable to permit one or more sheets to be separated on one or on each side of the signature. If, as is preferred, only one side of the suspended signature is gripped, the other side may be deflected, sufficiently to permit the signature to be advanced astride saddle 84, by pivotable deflector plate 85. As an alternative to devices 65, a movable deflector 87 may be used to guide one side of the suspended signature over bar 83 and thus open the signature. Each of the devices 65 may be provided with an arcuate bar 75 which bends a gripped sheet as the device rotates, thus ensuring that only a single sheet is gripped. Saddle members; pusher feeds.-The opened signatures are carried by grippers G astride a saddle 84, Fig. 1, which maintains them in open condition whilst they are turned through 180 degrees by the grippers. The turned signatures are deposited astride saddle 94, Fig. 24, and moved therealong by pushers (104, Fig. 22, not shown). Discs 108 projecting through slot 110 in the apex of the saddle co-operate with grooved wheels 107 to harden the backbone folds of the signatures. Faulty feed control; driving arrangement.- The absence of a signature at grippers 23, Fig. 7, or the presence of more than one signature is detected by a caliper roller 191 which is arranged to stop the machine. If a signature is not aligned correctly upon saddle 94, Fig. 24, edge detectors 197 may actuate a signal. The opening devices may be operated in accordance with a predetermined programme so as to process signatures of varying types and for this purpose the air supply to the devices is controlled by a programming chain comprising one link for each signature, each link having various cam surfaces to operate valves controlling the said air supply as the chain is driven.